Tubing business launches in Johnstown

June 21, 2010|By Dan DiPaolo

Chad Gontkovic looked out over the Stonycreek River and saw opportunity. He was sitting outside his new business Coal Tubin' in Moxham as Coal, his Bernese mountain dog, loped down to the edge of the river.

In a few weeks he hopes the view will be dotted with smiling people floating on bright orange inner tubes.

"I always wanted to do something in recreation in Johnstown," he said.

"Tubing is a low-cost water recreation alternative." Coal Tubin' -- co-owned by fellow Johnstown native Jill Skowron -- is essentially a tubing outfitter where customers are transported up to Greenhouse Park in Conemaugh Township and tossed into the water for a leisurely two- or three- hour float back down to the headquarters at 303 Central Ave. Gontkovic, 28, got the idea when he was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.

"I saw how huge tubing was in Texas. It's a lifestyle down there," he said. The Guadalupe and Comal Rivers see thousands of tubing visitors per year and has 14 outfitting businesses working to meet the demand, he said.

"I think one of the hardest parts will be infusing that (tubing culture) in the community," he said. "We've already had a pretty good response."

His business is set to take float on May 15 and already has more than 600 fans on the company's Facebook website. Opening weekend is set to coincide with the Stonycreek Rendezvous at Greenhouse Park.

The popular kayaking event regularly brings out more than 500 people from all over the country. The Benscreek Canoe and Kayak Club organizes the Rendezvous and has been supportive of the new business.

"Recreational kayaking is becoming more popular and anything like tubing is great because it's getting people to utilize the river," said Steve Podratsky, club president. "The Stonycreek is no longer a dumping ground, it's a wonderful resource," he said.

Gontkovic said tubing is also family appropriate. Company policy is that children as young as 5 years old can go tubing as long as they're accompanied by an adult. Forming an early positive relationship with water recreation can lead to more advanced sports like kayaking and canoeing, Podratsky said.

While Coal Tubin' is only open on weekends and special events like Thunder in the Valley to start, Gontkovic wants to expand his operation to take advantage of a number of regional recreation projects.

A planned extension of the Jim Mayer Riverwalk will take the trail right past Coal Tubin' and they hope to start renting bikes once that is completed. Boat and canoe rentals might be in the future, as well, Gontkovic said.

"This is all part of a bigger plan. The ultimate goal is to be the complete outfitter," he said. "Johnstown is a recreational jewel."

Rides start at $10 and discounts are given for military and for families with more than four. A season pass will be available for $50. For more information on the company, visit www.coaltubin.com.